MEDAN, APOSTOLIC VICARIATE OF
It comprises the entire western part of the island of Sumatra (Indonesia). On 30 June 1911, the island of Sumatra, together with the other adjacent islands, was detached from the apostolic vicariate of Batavia (now Djakarta) and established as the apostolic prefecture of Sumatra, entrusted to the Capuchin Friars Minor of the Dutch province.
On 27 December 1923, the islands of Banka and Billiton, along with the Riouw archipelago, were detached from the same prefecture of Sumatra to establish two prefectures: Banka and Billiton, on the islands of the same name, and that of Ben-gulen (now Palembang). The remaining territory, comprising the civil residences of Atjeh, Sumatra, Tapanuli, Sumatra’s Westkust, the smaller islands, and the district of Indragiri (Riouw archipelago), assumed the name of apostolic prefecture of Padang. On 18 July 1932, this mission was elevated to an apostolic vicariate, and on 23 December 1941 it received its current name of apostolic vicariate of M.
The first missionaries to reach the island of Sumatra were the Carmelites, Father Dionigi della Natività and Brother Redento della Croce (1638). They suffered martyrdom there, together with 59 companions, on 29 November 1638, and were beatified in 1900. In the second half of the 17th century, the Franciscans arrived, and in 1703, the Theatines.
The inhabitants of this region belong to various ethnic groups, each with its own language. The principal ones are: the Minangkabau in the southern part, the Atjeh in the northern part, the Malays in the eastern part, the Batak in the central part, and the Nias on the island of the same name. The Malay language, widespread throughout the regions of Indonesia under the name of Indonesian language, is the official language of the new Republic of Indonesia.
As regards religion, apart from the Batak and Nias, all are fanatical Muslims. The Batak and Nias are partly Protestant, partly pagan, and many are inclined toward the Catholic faith. The population of this mission is approximately 6,000,000, of whom 35,524 are Catholic; 5,000,000 are Muslims; 100,000 are pagans; and 500,000 are Protestants of Lutheran sects. There are 46 foreign priests; 17 foreign brothers; 82 foreign sisters; 6 minor seminarians; 44 catechists; 98 male teachers and 107 female teachers; 36 nurses; one hospital; two orphanages; 18 elementary schools; six middle schools; six vocational schools; one teacher-training school; and 202 sacred buildings. A newspaper titled *Kong Po* is published there, with a circulation of 1,000 copies.